Empowering young futures through staff-led community engagement

Growthpoint Properties (JSE: GRT), in collaboration with the non-profit organisation Threads for iKasi Foundation and on behalf of its employees, has donated 50 full winter school uniforms to learners at Ikusasa Comprehensive School in Tembisa, Kempton Park. The handover ceremony, held at the school on Friday 23 May 2025, showed the spirit of employee-driven social impact.

Each complete uniform package includes a jersey, drymac, trousers with shirt, shoes, socks and a winter beanie. These donations are part of Growthpoint’s G² (Growthpoint Gives) programme, which enables the company’s team members to actively participate in upliftment efforts in their own communities.

Ikusasa Comprehensive School is a beacon of resilience and academic ambition in the Tembisa community. With a consistent rise in matric pass rate, increasing from 77.1% in 2021 to an outstanding 95.8% in 2024, the school aims to achieve a 100% pass rate and a 75% Bachelor’s pass this year. Together with its strong academic programme, Ikusasa promotes holistic development through arts, sports, culture and active social awareness campaigns around bullying, substance abuse and health.

The school currently supports many vulnerable learners, including eight child-headed households and 47 orphans. It faces infrastructure challenges and requires greater access to educational resources, technology, and classroom upgrades.

“We are incredibly touched by the generosity of Growthpoint and Threads for iKasi,” says Principal Gladwell Makhoba of Ikusasa Comprehensive School. “These uniforms mean so much more than just clothing – they restore dignity, boost self-esteem, and remind our learners that they matter. The support we’ve received sends a powerful message: our children are seen, they are valued, and they have a community that believes in their future.”

Threads for iKasi, with its mission to create environments where no child is left behind, has successfully rolled out similar initiatives in over a dozen schools in Tembisa. Its model is grounded in restoring dignity through educational support and ensuring that learners are equipped not just academically, but emotionally and socially.

“For me, a school uniform has always meant more than just clothing — it’s a sense of pride, a feeling of belonging, and a quiet promise of potential,” says Khabo Mnguni, Co-founder of Threads for iKasi. “Growing up in the township, I saw firsthand how something as simple as a uniform could change how a child saw themselves. That’s why this mission is so close to my heart. Our partnership with Growthpoint is a golden thread of care, stitched into the futures of these learners. It’s about more than just warmth and appearance — it’s about dignity, confidence, and showing our children that they are seen, supported, and worthy.”

This contribution reflects the heart of the G² programme, which encourages Growthpoint’s staff to lead with empathy and impact.

Shawn Theunissen, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Growthpoint Properties. “A Growthpoint team member introduced Threads for iKasi, which brought Ikusasa’s needs to our attention, and we are proud to support their call. In addition to providing vital warmth for children in winter, the initiative is also affirming dignity and supporting learners to focus on their education without unnecessary hardship.”

Growthpoint Properties’ CSR approach is rooted in its commitment to responsible corporate citizenship. Through G², every employee also receives eight hours annually to participate in volunteer activities, making social impact a shared value across the organisation.

“We believe that corporate responsibility lives not just in boardrooms but in every hand helping,” adds Theunissen. “This donation is one small part of our broader commitment to our employees, their communities and to education. We believe that partnerships with educators will yield positive results towards our shared vision of building a better life for all.”

The post Growthpoint brings warmth and dignity to Tembisa learners appeared first on SA REIT.

Sleep, study, eat. Sleep, study, eat.

Sleep, study … art?

For tertiary level scholars studying in Johannesburg, far away from their roots and often with the weight of their family’s expectation on their young shoulders, the chance to find beauty and breathing space amidst the relentless learning may seem like a fanciful dream. However, at Thrive Student Living’s new Arteria Parktown 500-bed student residence, the art is right there in – even on! – their custom-built home away from home.

Local poet, healer and multi-disciplinary artist Thobile Mavuso was commissioned by Thrive Student Living to create a mural for the R200-million Arteria Parktown property and designed a unique artwork that encapsulates both the displacement and excitement of student life in “res”. The piece is fittingly entitled Ukuzilanda Ukuzilandela Nokuzelapha, which loosely translates as “to return to one’s roots is to care for and heal oneself.”

For artist Thobile – who is currently doing a master’s degree in Fine Art at the University of the Witwatersrand – those roots are in her Ndebele background, echoes of which are found in her vibrant yet restful mural. Painted on an internal courtyard wall in acrylic, using a palette of teal, yellow ochre, red and green, this vast piece features a circle of connected figures in traditional headdress… or perhaps a tangle of opening flowers… or perhaps a patchwork of homesteads amidst fields…

Whatever, it begs to be looked at, to be contemplated.

And that is precisely the point.

The Arteria Parktown mural, says Thobile, explores “the wounding that comes with displacement, dispossession and landlessness that many South African people experience, which often leads to a loss of cultural identity, heritage and traditions.”

The interplay depicted between the human body and the land communicates the interconnectedness of the two, she explains. “It encourages enquiry into one’s history, roots, and imvelaphi – one’s origins – as a means of care and healing. The artwork aims to suggest that through knowing who one is they may find what they are not.”

Thobile was commissioned by Thrive Student Living in consultation with Latitudes, the curated online market for art from Africa, and South Africa in particular. This collaboration was a natural one, as Latitudes’ inclusive ethos mirrors that at Thrive.

“Latitudes is not just a marketplace but an educational platform about and for art,” says co-founder Roberta Coci. “The difference is in our approach. We are flexible, inclusive, and insistent on equitable participation for all players, from the artists, like Thobile Mavuso, to the galleries, curators, and the collectors – many of whom first find the courage to start buying art through our open, inclusive showcase.”

Thrive Student Living benefits from Growthpoint Properties’ award-winning green building initiatives and ongoing mission to create healthy, sustainable environments, with a socially conscious mandate.

“We believe in lifting as we rise and endeavour to partner with members of the university community where possible,” stresses Amogelang Mocumi, Fund Manager of Growthpoint Student Accommodation, which operates Thrive Student Living. “The decision to partner with Thobile was easy given that she is a Wits student and her work resonates with what Thrive Student Living stands for.”

Thrive offers tailor-made campus communities, which include study areas, games rooms, gyms, and backup power and water. Its Student Life programme offers round-the-clock support for students, encompassing everything from academic performance to physical health and mental wellness. It is this unique approach that gives parents and bursary providers peace of mind, knowing students are in a fully supportive environment. Ukuzilanda Ukuzilandela Nokuzelapha is a visual extension of this spirit, believes Amogelang.

“Art is a language, a universal form of expression,” he says. “When students who are sitting in the courtyard underneath this wonderful mural, and they then read the plaque detailing its inspiration, they find new meaning in it and derive their own meaning from it.”

Commissioning Thobile Mavuso proved the perfect fit: she is young, female, vibrant, upcoming, locally-based in Joburg, multidisciplinary – she works in paint, photography, text, sound, and printmaking – and a student too, with her own complicated history. Born and bred in the city, she has long wrestled with her Ndebele culture. She started writing poetry in earnest at the age of 11 to process her emotions around troubles at home, culminating in the publication of her award-wining anthology Songs Broken Women Sing in 2019.

“This latest artwork calls for its viewers to remember who they are no matter how far away they may feel or be from their ancestral lands and events,” she says. “Their work is to celebrate their culture, and to keep it alive. Culture, like art, is a living thing.”

The post Art puts the heart into student living appeared first on SA REIT.

In the heart of Johannesburg’s north, a quiet, vital workforce has been thriving for the past six years at one of the city’s foremost office addresses. Eight honeybee hives nestled within the lush grounds of Growthpoint Properties’ The Woodlands Office Park in Woodmead are always hard at work, and this year they’re also creating a buzz for the UN designated World Bee Day on 20 May.

The World Bee Day 2025 theme “Bee inspired by nature to nourish us all”, highlights the critical roles bees and pollinators play in agrifood systems and the health of our country’s, and our planet’s ecosystems. The Woodland’s bees exemplify this sentiment.

Set in a 43-hectare game park, The Woodlands is already known for its remarkable blend of nature and business. With tranquil waterscapes, rich birdlife, and freely roaming buck and other small animals, it offers an unmatched environment for both productivity and peaceful retreat. With its resident bee colonies, it’s also playing a small but meaningful role in supporting South Africa’s embattled pollinator population.

Pollinators in peril

South Africa is facing a serious shortage of bees, beekeepers, and secure forage sites—conditions that are critical for agricultural pollination. The eight hives at The Woodlands represent a fraction of what’s needed nationally, but they matter because they form part of a larger ecosystem of conservation-aware stewardship.

Bees pollinate roughly 70% to 80% of the foods we eat. Of the 1,258 known species in South Africa, only two can be domesticated in hives (but not in the same regions) and they are stretched thin.

How do these office-park bees support agrifood systems?

The Woodlands colonies are among the 700 that seasonally support macadamia orchards in Barberton, where their pollination boosts crop yields by as much as 70%.

To pollinate South Africa’s 78,000 hectares of macadamia trees, an estimated 312,000 colonies are needed. Yet the total number of managed colonies nationwide barely exceeds that. Add apples, avocados, butternuts and berries to the mix, and the deficit becomes even more alarming.

During off-season periods when farms must be treated with pesticides, these bees require safe, forage-rich refuges. The Woodlands, with its flourishing stands of acacia, paperbark, fever trees, soetdoring and select non-invasive eucalyptus species, offers exactly that.

Why bees belong

By maintaining safe, pesticide-free apiaries like those at The Woodlands, Growthpoint contributes to pollinator conservation and, by extension, national food security or, as this year’s World Bee Day theme highlights, nourishing us all.

As a bonus, each hive, which has one queen bee fiercely protected by her colony, produces up to 30 kilograms of honey annually under ideal conditions, though recent erratic weather patterns have dampened yields across the country, from Gauteng to Limpopo.

“This initiative reflects the value of adaptive, site-specific stewardship. The hives benefit from an abundant local food source, contributing to a healthy and balanced ecosystem within the park,” says Martjie Cloete, Growthpoint Properties Sustainability Manager – Projects.

She adds, “Every small act counts in safeguarding our pollinators. The Woodlands bee project is a reminder that even in urban settings, nature can thrive when given the chance and when our environment is treated as a vital part of our future.”

The post Growthpoint thriving bee hives at Woodlands Office Park appeared first on SA REIT.

For the last five years, SA REIT Emira (JSE: EMI) has been quietly putting its weight behind an essential global commodity: bees. During that time, the fund’s littlest property investment has become one of its proudest, with 14 beehives at five of its properties, all abuzz with activity.

As Ulana van Biljon, Chief Operating Officer of Emira, explains, “The beehive project was chosen to highlight the decline of global bee populations, because bees and other pollinators are under serious threat, yet they contribute so much to society, as well as to the biodiversity of our properties. Our hives provide a safe place for honeybees to live and breed.”

According to the United Nations (www.un.org/en/observances/bee-day) over 75% of the world’s food crops – nutrient-dense fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds – and 35% of global agricultural land depends on animal pollinators. The greatest of these are the 20,000 species of bees worldwide.

In 2020, Emira began installing beehives at eight of its properties in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. Subsequently, three of the properties were sold, so currently Emira has 14 hives across five properties.

“Our bee conservation project is a holistic approach to reducing the impact of environmental degradation, which goes beyond planting trees,” says van Biljon.

The first Emira hives were installed at Knightsbridge office park in the heart of the Bryanston business node, and Hyde Park Lane, a tranquil corporate address in Sandton. These sites were selected, according to van Biljon, “due to their safe site location, the biodiversity of the surrounding landscape and the abundance of flowering plants which provide the nectar flow for the bees to produce honey.”

Both bee and human welfare concerns were carefully considered, she adds, noting that the public live in harmony with bees anyway: there are many natural swarms of bees throughout South African cities. Emira’s beehives are managed in a secure, controlled environment, away from areas of heavy foot traffic and clearly sign-posted, while beekeeping activities take place at night.

The results so far have been sweet: the busy little workers have produced 106kg of honey for the March 2025 harvest from four apiary sites, namely Knightsbridge (19kg), Hyde Park Lane (16kg), Wonderpark (53kg) and Albury Park (18kg). A by-product of the conservation initiative, the honey is harvested after the summer months when the bees produce a surplus.

However, no honey could be harvested from the two hives at One Highveld, as both underwent “absconding” at the same time – absconding being a normal phenomenon within honeybee hives, part of a cycle in which an old queen is replaced with a younger one. Any existing honey was then “stolen” by other honeybees, another natural turn of events.

The honey was shared among Emira staff and tenants, creating awareness of the importance of preserving biodiversity. To the delight of the recipients each harvest tasted unique as bees tend to collect nectar within 3km of their hive. This meant Johannesburg honey was crafted largely from exotic garden ornamentals like jasmine, lavender, rosemary and jacaranda trees. Meanwhile, in Pretoria North – where hives are situated at Wonderpark Shopping Centre – an abundance of indigenous plants, acacias, and grassland flowers created honey with darker, flavourful herbal tannins.

“This biodiversity is vital for healthy ecosystems, which support both human well-being and the economy,” says van Biljon. “Healthy ecosystems form the ecological infrastructure of the country, providing clean air and water, fertile soil and food.”

The bees must have realised they were on to a sweet rent-free deal at Emira: in April 2024, passing bees took up residence in a pylon at Boskruin Shopping Centre, not an ideal location. Once they were safely removed by a beekeeper, catch hives were installed to prevent more unplanned bee incursions. These will capture swarming honeybees, allowing them to be relocated to suitable sites within the Emira portfolio, or to commercial farms within the region. Thus, urban sites remain safe, and honeybee stocks are secured.

As part of Emira’s dedication to best environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices, it has also committed to a “No Net Future Loss” policy, conserving and promoting biodiversity across its portfolio and reducing the company’s impact on the environment.

“The country’s natural ecosystems are threatened by land use change, degradation and invasive alien species,” says van Biljon. “Climate change worsens these threats, but healthy ecosystems offer natural solutions that increase resilience. They protect communities from extreme weather events and enhance natural resources, livelihoods, food security and habitats for animals and plants.”

With the beehive project, Emira is putting the bee firmly into business, living up to its reputation as a truly diversified, balanced real estate investment trust.

The post Emira’s beehives are a sweet investment in tomorrow appeared first on SA REIT.

By Samantha Lambert, General Manager, Redefine Properties

In an era of unprecedented environmental and operational challenges, South Africa’s office parks stand at a critical juncture. Energy insecurity, water scarcity, and ageing municipal infrastructure are no longer distant concerns but immediate challenges that demand innovative solutions. Yet, within these challenges lies an opportunity to reimagine office parks as beacons of sustainability and operational resilience.

The business imperative for sustainable office parks

Sustainable office parks are no longer just an environmental consideration; they are a business imperative. Unreliable municipal power supply and recurring water shortages directly impact operational continuity and tenant satisfaction. Simultaneously, tenants and investors increasingly demand spaces that combine operational resilience with environmental responsibility. This convergence of operational necessity and stakeholder expectations is reshaping how we approach office park development and management.

Black River Office Park in Cape Town’s Observatory district exemplifies this transformation. The park’s evolution has been accelerated by significant node activation, including Amazon’s new head office development across the way. This strategic location, with its superior road infrastructure connecting to both northern and southern suburbs, has catalysed the area’s development into what we envision as an emerging Century City-calibre node.

Infrastructure that powers performance

Leading sustainable office parks are distinguished by infrastructure investments that address both environmental impact and operational resilience:

• Renewable energy systems: Black River’s solar fleet, with an installed capacity of 1,496 kWp supported by 5,715 panels, significantly reduces grid dependence while ensuring consistent power supply.
• Backup power solutions: A comprehensive backup generator system, coupled with a centralised power plant, ensures business continuity during grid interruptions – a critical feature that’s no longer optional but essential for tenant operations.
• Water security measures: Strategic use of borehole water for refuse yards and irrigation supports water-wise landscaping, reducing municipal water dependence while maintaining attractive green spaces.

These investments deliver measurable returns through reduced operating costs and enhanced tenant satisfaction. The park’s near-full occupancy demonstrates the strong market demand for sustainable, resilient office space.

The multi-tenant advantage: How diversity drives growth

Sustainability extends beyond utility management to encompass how spaces support diverse business needs. Black River Office Park comprises 14 distinct buildings, each with its own identity, enabling a unique ecosystem where corporate offices and business process outsourcing (BPO) operations successfully coexist. As we’ve discovered, sustainable office parks must be flexible enough to accommodate varying density requirements while maintaining premium-grade standards.

The park’s design thoughtfully incorporates energy-efficient building systems alongside carefully planned green spaces that enhance both environmental performance and user well-being. Supporting amenities promote tenant productivity and satisfaction, while flexible spaces readily adapt to changing business needs.

This approach has attracted a diverse tenant mix, including boutique gyms, award-winning salons, medical practices, and varied food offerings. As a result, it has created a vibrant, community-centric environment that supports approximately 2,000 employees, a number set to double with recent expansions.

Collaboration: The key to sustainable success is collaboration

Achieving meaningful sustainability requires close collaboration among REITs, tenants and vendors. At Black River, this collaborative approach begins with our tenants, working closely with them to optimise space utilisation and resource efficiency. We engage suppliers in sustainable procurement practices while maintaining strong partnerships with the City of Cape Town and CapeBPO to align with regional development goals. Our Red Thread initiative exemplifies this collaborative spirit, repurposing materials from gutted buildings to benefit the community and demonstrate our commitment to circular economy principles.

Smart design, smarter returns

Modern technology plays a crucial role in maximising sustainable infrastructure performance. At Black River, we’re investing in smart building systems for resource optimisation, complemented by advanced monitoring tools for energy and water consumption. Our commitment to continuous assessment of environmental performance drives strategic upgrades that maintain our premium-grade status.

The planned redevelopment of Gate House, which anchors the entry point to Black River Park, illustrates our commitment to ongoing evolution. This project will enhance the building’s exterior while maintaining its distinct character, demonstrating how sustainable design can complement heritage features.

Market leadership through environmental excellence

As South Africa continues to face environmental and infrastructure challenges, sustainable office parks will play an increasingly vital role in our business landscape. The success of Black River Office Park demonstrates that sustainability isn’t just about environmental responsibility; it’s about creating resilient, future-ready spaces that deliver lasting value for all stakeholders.

Property owners and managers must take a long-term view, balancing immediate operational needs with future sustainability requirements. This means investing in robust infrastructure, fostering collaborative ecosystems, and maintaining unwavering commitment to continuous improvement.

The future belongs to office parks that can adapt, evolve and thrive in the face of change. Embracing sustainable practices today not only protects our environment but also ensures the long-term viability of our assets. At the same time, it creates spaces where businesses can flourish for generations to come.

The post Office parks reimagined appeared first on SA REIT.

Since 2020, SA REIT Emira (JSE: EMI) has installed 16 beehives at eight of its properties in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal – and more are planned, wherever and whenever suitable.

According to Ulana van Biljon, Chief Operating Officer of Emira: “The beehive project was chosen to address the decline of global bee populations, which contribute so much to society, as well as the biodiversity of our properties.”

Bees are vital for pollinating plants, including food crops. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), a full third of global food production depends on bees as pollinators.

Simply put, all life on the planet relies on these essential workers, but they are increasingly threatened by human activity, under grave threat from habitat loss, pesticides, air pollution and climate change.

“Our bee conservation project is a holistic approach to reducing the impact of environmental degradation, which goes beyond planting trees,” says van Biljon.

The first hives were installed in August 2020 at Knightsbridge office park in the heart of the Bryanston business node, and Hyde Park Lane, a tranquil corporate address in Sandton.

These sites were selected, according to van Biljon, “due to their safe site location, the biodiversity of the surrounding landscape and the abundance of flowering plants which provide the nectar flow for the bees to produce honey.”

Subsequently, beehives were introduced at Wonderpark Shopping Centre in Pretoria North; One Highveld industrial premises in Centurion, Pretoria; Springfield open-air retail centre in Umgeni, Durban; Park Boulevard local shopping centre in Durban North; Albury Park, a garden-life office environment in Dunkeld, Johannesburg; and Epsom Downs Office Park near William Nicol offramp, Sandton.

Safety concerns were carefully considered, says van Biljon, noting that the public live in harmony with bees anyway: there are many natural swarms of bees throughout South African cities.

Emira’s beehives are managed in a safe, controlled environment, away from areas of heavy foot traffic and clearly sign-posted, while beekeeping activities take place at night.

The results so far have been sweet: these busy little workers have produced 85kg of honey to date from five hive sites: Knightsbridge (8kg), One Highveld (15kg), Hyde Park Lane (19kg), Wonderpark (20kg) and Albury Park (23kg).

The first honey harvests were shared amongst Emira staff and a few service providers, creating awareness of the importance of preserving biodiversity. It is their intention to make future honey available for their tenants at those properties that have the hives.

To the delight of the recipients, the honey collected from different properties all tasted unique. Bees tend to collect nectar within 3km of their hive, which meant Johannesburg honey was crafted largely from exotic garden ornamental plants like jasmine, lavender, rosemary and jacaranda trees. Meanwhile, Pretoria North – where hives are situated at Wonderpark Shopping Centre – has more indigenous plants, acacias, and grassland flowers, meaning honey with darker, flavourful herbal tannins.

All of it was delicious.

The honey is not for sale, although Emira is open to investigating charity initiatives as their buzzy new tenants continue to upscale production; instead, the profit is in biodiversity.

“Biodiversity is vital for healthy ecosystems, which support human well-being and the economy,” says van Biljon. “Healthy ecosystems form the ecological infrastructure of the country, providing clean air and water, fertile soil, and food.”

As part of Emira’s dedication to good environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, it has committed to a “No Net Future Loss” policy, conserving and promoting biodiversity across its portfolio and reducing the company’s impact on the environment.

“The country’s natural ecosystems are threatened by land use change, degradation and invasive alien species,” according to van Biljon. “Climate change worsens these threats, but healthy ecosystems offer natural solutions that increase resilience. They protect communities from extreme weather events and enhance natural resources, livelihoods, food security, and habitats for animals and plants.”

With the beehive project, Emira is putting the bee firmly into business, living up to its reputation as a truly diversified, balanced real estate investment trust.

The post Beehive scheme brings sweet rewards at Emira appeared first on SA REIT.

On 8 December this year, the Regulations for the Mandatory Display and Submission of Energy Performance Certificates for Buildings in terms of the National Energy Act come into effect.  In essence, the new legislation means that specific commercial buildings must have EPCs. This includes public sector buildings of more than 1,000 sqm and private sector buildings bigger than 2,000 sqm. Building types include offices, schools and tertiary institutions, places of public assembly, indoor sports and theatres.

The EPC must be displayed in the foyer of each mandated building and submitted every five years to the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI). Based on energy performance, which is defined as net energy consumed in kilowatt-hours per square metre a year, they are graded on their efficiency from A to G, with A-grade certifications being the most efficient.

“Emira moved early to certify its buildings, and we are pleased to have ensured compliance with this new regulation well before the deadline. In line with our good governance, we will be voluntarily certifying a further 23 non-mandated buildings by 31 March 2023, which is consistent with our commitment to best practices, carbon reduction and the environment,” says Ulana van Biljon, COO of Emira Property Fund.

She adds that while EPCs are becoming compulsory, they are, first and foremost, a valuable decision-making tool for property owners. They provide insight into the energy-saving potential of a building and are particularly helpful when investing in and implementing projects aimed at reducing the energy consumption of buildings and property portfolios.

“Knowing a building’s energy performance supports good property and environmental decisions,” notes van Biljon.

Emira’s commitment to the environment is evident throughout its portfolio and its operations. It is active in increasing renewable energy and water efficiency, reducing waste and pollution and promoting biodiversity and positive ecological impact.

In the year from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022, Emira reduced its total emissions by 3.8% to lighten its carbon footprint. Supporting this, it reduced grid electricity usage by 2.0% with 79 different energy efficiency projects, including installing solar power that increased its renewable energy production by 16%, as well as converting to LED lights at its properties and upgrading its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

This SA REIT has turned to solar power to support a green power supply to its buildings to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change. It has increased its installed capacity of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and now has solar panels at nine properties. Its latest solar PV installation is at the prime office asset, Knightsbridge Block A in Bryanston, Johannesburg, which has become one of the first Net-Zero Carbon buildings in South Africa and was the first building to get an EPC in the Emira portfolio. In the year to 30 June 2022, Emira’s PV farms saved 9.9 million kWh and removed 10 543tCO₂e emissions annually.

The REIT remains focused on growing its clean solar-powered energy installations to improve energy efficiency and reduce its environmental footprint and the strain on the national grid in light of the increasingly uncertain electricity supply from Eskom. The expansion of its Pretoria Wonderpark Shopping Centre system of 1.6MWp (DC) to 2.8 MWp (DC) will boost its positive environmental impacts. Emira’s solar farms also position it to feed power back into the grid.

But Emira’s clean energy and energy efficiency initiatives are not its only areas of positive environmental impact. Its water efficiency initiatives saved 151,080KL. Working with nature, not against it, by enhancing biodiversity, Emira has installed beehives at a number of properties and recently launched a Spekboom project, helping to plant more of these hardy indigenous plants, celebrated for their ability to remove CO₂ emissions from the atmosphere.

Geoff Jennett, CEO of Emira, says, “At Emira, providing great real estate is also about managing our carbon footprint, improving affordable and clean energy, implementing integrated waste and recycling plans, water management and water harvesting projects and safeguarding biodiversity. Our energy and other environmental initiatives provide greener, more enjoyable and more productive environments for our tenants.”

“Approaching energy efficiently and renewably is part of our core environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations that are at the heart of the way Emira acts as a responsible landlord. We drive our positive impacts forward with specific targets and initiatives to give substance to our ESG commitments. The excellent results of our EPC project, which sees us being fully compliant earlier than required, demonstrates the depth and diligence of our commitment,” says Jennett.

The post Emira completes new energy performance certification months before SA deadline appeared first on SA REIT.

The major advances we have made in recent years were recognised at the recent 10th Gender Mainstreaming Awards, held at Gallagher Estate outside Johannesburg.

This was the first time we had been nominated and we are extremely pleased to have achieved third place for Gender Reporting of JSE-Listed Companies. The Awards celebrate and reward those who are actively accelerating equality in the workplace and also highlight the positive impact of gender mainstreaming in Africa.

Redefine’s Board level transformation stands out for its gender diversity and inclusivity, with many recent appointments, including that of the company secretary, the audit committee and across the Board, reflecting our values and commitment to transformation and gender equality in the workplace.

“This is a significant milestone for us as it highlights that the path we have embarked on to drive change and manage spaces in a way that changes lives is the right one. Our diversity and inclusion and being recognised for the strides we are making is very pleasing and lays a firm foundation for us to build on well into the future,” says Redefine Chairperson, Sipho Pityana.

“Our purpose is to create and manage spaces in a way that changes lives and we are entrenching this approach into everything we do. We have embedded diversity into our culture to stimulate diversity of thought,” says Redefine CEO Andrew Konig.

“We also have refreshed our engagement strategy for each stakeholder with an eye on being totally focused on inclusivity,” he concludes.

The post Redefine rewarded for strong progress on gender mainstreaming appeared first on SA REIT.

According to SANAS accredited B-BBEE verification agency, Renaissance SA Ratings, the Group showed improved metrics across most elements of the scorecard. Specifically, in the key areas of ownership (26 points), Enterprise and Supplier Development (38.18 points) and Skills Development (18.39), Attacq surpassed prior scores in being awarded its Level 1 accreditation for the period 01 Jul 2021 – 30 Jun 2022.

Attacq CEO Jackie van Niekerk says: “Achieving this milestone talks foremost to our purpose – which is to create sustainable value for all stakeholders. This means that when we talk about transformation as a business, we talk about transforming our society, empowering our tenants and suppliers, and growing our partner network with emerging black businesses.

This achievement is a reflection of our commitment to diversity and inclusion and underscores our ambition of driving growth and transformation in the South African economy.”

Achieving the improved B-BBEE level is demonstrative of the progress the Group has made against its strategic objectives, which include contributing meaningfully to our communities through transformation, with an emphasis on procurement.

Along with the weighting to procurement, Attacq’s focused Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy ensures that its various CSR investments contribute to its B-BBEE goals, through specific meaningful and impactful initiatives. As an example, over the past six years, the Group has partnered with Property Point to support the growth of SMMEs in the South African property sector, which in turn creates jobs and drives transformation in the industry.

Living the Attacq values

Attacq Social Executive, Janine Palm, says: As a locally-focused, people-centric business, Attacq strives at all times to prioritise skills development, through its supplier and enterprise development programmes and places particular emphasis on supporting the communities within which the business operates.

The inward application of transformation is centred on building a diverse workforce that represents the nation’s demographics, encourages inclusive thinking and diversity of thought. The latter in particular results in a range of perspectives and ideas, promoting agility and resilience in the company.”

Improving employment equity levels was also identified as a strategic Key Performance Indicator (KPI) to measure the business, and Management, against its employment equity plan, and the Group continues to make good progress in this regard.

“Attacq actively practices good corporate citizenship, and the Board and Management are at all times conscious of the type of economic, social or environmental impact the business has on society”, concludes Van Niekerk.

The post Attacq achieves landmark level 1 B-BBEE rating appeared first on SA REIT.

Johannesburg, 20 Sep 2022 – Redefine’s green building journey continues to make a difference to the planet with the issuance of our first green bond, with the IFC as anchor investor, on Friday.

Globally the market for green bonds had grown over 100% year on year as at December 2021, according to RMB, but Africa is lagging well behind. Redefine, however, has placed ESG at the heart of our business and this bond opens another exciting chapter on our journey to achieving a long-term target of net zero carbon status by 2050.

The green bond, Redefine’s first, was oversubscribed and raised R1.5 billion at an auction on September 16th.

“This bond helps promote sustainability and climate-smart commercial real estate in South Africa, and it was pleasing to note that the bond was well-oversubscribed, indicating heightened demand for companies doing the right thing,” says Ntobeko Nyawo, Redefine’s Chief Financial Officer.

Redefine Properties led the charge towards a sustainable future in the property sector with a R1 billion issuance for its first sustainability-linked bond in July last year.

“Today’s green bond further amplifies our commitment to placing ESG at the heart of what we do,” says Nyawo. “It diversifies our funding profile, creates liquidity headroom and significantly, this bond is structured on a use-of-proceeds basis, which means it will directly finance only highly rated green buildings, which is firmly in line with Redefine’s over-arching, long-term climate-resilience framework.”

The IFC will invest up to R750 million (about $44.1 million) in the bond to support Redefine to refinance its Green Star SA certified assets, which incorporate energy and water efficiency measures.

The green bond aligns with the International Capital Market Association Green Bond Principles. It was listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in the Sustainability Segment, a platform for companies to raise debt for green, social, and sustainable initiatives.

Anelisa Keke, chief sustainability officer at Redefine, says Redefine’s green building journey goes back to 2012 when the company got its first Green Star SA certification.

“Since then we have obtained several Green Star SA certifications. Our Green Building programme is part of a long-term journey towards achieving net zero status and provides our key stakeholders with proof that our certified assets have a positive impact on the environment, as well as the health and well-being of our occupants.”

Green Star SA rated assets, on existing building performance, are independently certified by the Green Building Council of South Africa every 3 years and are rated based on a variety of operational factors, including (but not limited to) energy and water performance, waste management and recycling, indoor air quality, and green tenant guidelines, including green leases.

“This certification does more than simply focus on the resource efficiency of the building (i.e. energy, water and waste); rather, it rates the holistic sustainability features of the asset,” says Keke.

IFC’s investment will be used exclusively to refinance existing green buildings which have achieved a minimum Green Star 4 category certification.

The post Redefine’s maiden green bond puts ESG at the heart of what we do appeared first on SA REIT.